Town Hall Anger Is Not About Health Care

August 14, 2009 9:27 am ET —
Chris Harris

"They're probably
reacting less to what Mr. Obama is doing, or even to what they've heard about
what he's doing, than to who he is. That is, the driving force behind the town
hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that's behind the
'birther' movement, which denies Mr. Obama's citizenship."

The Right's
Anger Is Not About Health Care

Conservatives would like the media to believe the anger and
vitriol on display at recent town hall meetings is all about health care. This is simply not the case.

Activists on the far-right have been whipped into a frenzy
by internet rumors and conspiracy theories about socialism, guns, abortion,
religion, race and even whether or not the president is a U.S. citizen. This core group of conservatives will oppose
any and every agenda item put forth by the Obama administration.

Since Obama took the oath of office, right-wing websites and
media outlets have actively instilled fear, anger and hate in the minds of
impressionable conservative activists. Agitated
and eager for a fight, these activists are easy to mobilize when given an
opportunity to express their displeasure.

Having created a fearful and frantic "mob," conservative
special interests in Washington
have pounced.

DC Special
Interests: The Driving Force
Behind Town
Hall Outrage

DC-insiders, with their own self-interests at heart, have
taken it upon themselves to organize and dispatch groups of angry protesters to
disrupt town hall meetings held by Democratic members of Congress.

Well-organized and well-funded organizations in Washington provide their
members and supporters with all the tools necessary to wreak havoc at town hall
meetings. Opponents of a progressive
government are provided with schedules, talking (or shouting) points,
disruptive tactics and even transportation to events.

The following special interests have played key roles in organizing
the town hall shenanigans: